Power play

Browns' executive Clark tenders resignation

Dwight Clark came to the Browns in November 1998 after 19 years with the 49ers. AP

By Peter King, Sports Illustrated

Dwight Clark, executive vice president and director of football operations for the Cleveland Browns, has lost a power struggle in the upper echelon of the club's football operations and resigned his post Monday afternoon.

In a move sure to be seen as controversial both within the organization and the league, control for football operations is expected to be won by the inexperienced Pete Garcia, who head coach Butch Davis brought from the University of Miami just over a year ago to be an assistant coach and in charge of football development.

"You'd have to consider this a joint decision," Browns president Carmen Policy said. "He wants to try something else."

Policy, in Houston at the NFL meetings, said Clark left the Browns to pursue other goals in football and denied that it is not a result of losing a power struggle with Davis.

"That's not the case," Policy said.

Davis said Clark's resignation took him by surprise.

"I was surprised and disappointed to learn he was leaving," Davis said from the NFL meetings in Houston. "I had a very good and easy work relationship with Dwight. I assumed we would be working together again in the 2002 season."

Policy said Clark would not be replaced, and neither would Keith Kidd, the Browns' pro personnel director since 1999, who also is leaving.

Garcia, 40, became close to Davis when he served as the director of football operations at Miami for five seasons prior to coming to Cleveland.

Garcia apparently forced the issue last week. He had an opportunity to interview for a high-level position at the University of Miami, much to Davis' chagrin. And Davis, who hasn't been a big booster of Clark, wanted Garcia to stay in a larger football role with the Browns.

While at Miami, Garcia oversaw the Hurricanes' recruiting, and was instrumental in landing standouts Bubba Franks, Edgerrin James, Ray Lewis and Warren Sapp, among others.

Garcia worked in the Miami Dolphins' personnel department for two years (1989-90) prior to joining the University of Miami.

Clark is best know for making "The Catch" -- Joe Montana's touchdown pass in the 1981 NFC Championship Game to beat the Dallas Cowboys. Clark came to the Browns in November 1998 after 19 years with the 49ers, including nine as a player. He was part of the Niners' five Super Bowl teams, two as a player and three as a member of the team's front office.

Clark, 44, spent 10 years in the 49ers' front office, the final four as vice president and director of football operations. He had control of the Browns' football operations for two years before Davis replaced Chris Palmer as Cleveland's head coach before the 2001 season.

 

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.